Thursday, June 05, 2003
Rather than updating this web site last weekend, I spent some time (and money) upgrading my PC. At long last I’m preparing for installation of a broadband internet connection, due to be installed next week.
Anyway, here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) John Hiatt - Beneath This Gruff Exterior
To me, hearing a new John Hiatt album is like slipping into a pair of old blue jeans after a week in a tuxedo. The guy hasn’t made a bad album since 1987. OK…the LITTLE HEAD album was marginal, and LIVE AT BUDOKAN was pretty lame, but he remains the most underrated songwriter in the biz. Recorded with his longtime backing band (The Goners), this album has more blues guitar (that’s a good thing) and rocks harder than most. Check it out.
2) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Once upon a time, a band called Uncle Tupelo launched an entire genre of music called alt-country. Predictably, that band crashed and burned and gave birth to Son Volt and Wilco. Son volt has since bit the dust, while Wilco has evolved from alt-country (the AM album) to mock-Stones (BEING THERE) to retro folk (MERMAID AVENUE I & II) to lavish experimental pop (SUMMER TEETH and YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT). While Jeff Tweedy’s vocals remain an acquired taste, there’s a lot here to like.
3) Bill Frisell - Gone, Just Like a Train
My recent fascination with this jazz guitarist remains in place this week. This one is more rock oriented than THE WILLIES or GHOST TOWN, but retains a lot of the twang and roots flavor of his recent work.
4) Shelby Lynn - I Am Shelby Lynn
After releasing five country albums over 11 years, Shelby Lynn found her groove with this 2000 album. Much more Memphis than Nashville, this album showcases Lynn’s songwriting and singing to great effect. Listening again to this stunning album makes her 2001 follow-up (LOVE, SHELBY) sound even more disappointing than it did upon release two years ago. I AM SHELBY LYNN is highly recommended.
5) Eels – Shootenanny
I’ve always been a fan of the Eels simple melodies, quirky lyrics, and cheesy keyboard fills, displayed to best effect on DAISIES OF THE GALAXY from 2000. At first listen, this new release seems to have all the same components in place. Check back in a few weeks on this one.
6) Beck - Sea Change
Despite moments of greatness, I always found previous Beck albums to be largely inconsistent and lacking in any emotional core. That all changed with this 2002 album. Allegedly written while he was recovering from a breakup, this album is contemplative and somber all the way through. While some may find it somber or depressing, I think it’s haunting, and it gets better with each listen. A classic, and my second favorite album of 2002.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
UK - UK
In the last 10 years, I’ve probably played this largely overlooked 1979 progressive rock album more than any other vinyl that I own. I’m not sure why.
Kansas – Leftoverture
This 1976 album reminds me of high school keggers where $1 bought a bottomless cup of warm beer and the privilege of standing around a burning tire for warmth. The best cut on this album can be heard on KSLX at least three times a day.
If anybody is actually reading this, please send an e-mail using the link at the top of the page. Enough drivel for today.
Anyway, here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) John Hiatt - Beneath This Gruff Exterior
To me, hearing a new John Hiatt album is like slipping into a pair of old blue jeans after a week in a tuxedo. The guy hasn’t made a bad album since 1987. OK…the LITTLE HEAD album was marginal, and LIVE AT BUDOKAN was pretty lame, but he remains the most underrated songwriter in the biz. Recorded with his longtime backing band (The Goners), this album has more blues guitar (that’s a good thing) and rocks harder than most. Check it out.
2) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Once upon a time, a band called Uncle Tupelo launched an entire genre of music called alt-country. Predictably, that band crashed and burned and gave birth to Son Volt and Wilco. Son volt has since bit the dust, while Wilco has evolved from alt-country (the AM album) to mock-Stones (BEING THERE) to retro folk (MERMAID AVENUE I & II) to lavish experimental pop (SUMMER TEETH and YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT). While Jeff Tweedy’s vocals remain an acquired taste, there’s a lot here to like.
3) Bill Frisell - Gone, Just Like a Train
My recent fascination with this jazz guitarist remains in place this week. This one is more rock oriented than THE WILLIES or GHOST TOWN, but retains a lot of the twang and roots flavor of his recent work.
4) Shelby Lynn - I Am Shelby Lynn
After releasing five country albums over 11 years, Shelby Lynn found her groove with this 2000 album. Much more Memphis than Nashville, this album showcases Lynn’s songwriting and singing to great effect. Listening again to this stunning album makes her 2001 follow-up (LOVE, SHELBY) sound even more disappointing than it did upon release two years ago. I AM SHELBY LYNN is highly recommended.
5) Eels – Shootenanny
I’ve always been a fan of the Eels simple melodies, quirky lyrics, and cheesy keyboard fills, displayed to best effect on DAISIES OF THE GALAXY from 2000. At first listen, this new release seems to have all the same components in place. Check back in a few weeks on this one.
6) Beck - Sea Change
Despite moments of greatness, I always found previous Beck albums to be largely inconsistent and lacking in any emotional core. That all changed with this 2002 album. Allegedly written while he was recovering from a breakup, this album is contemplative and somber all the way through. While some may find it somber or depressing, I think it’s haunting, and it gets better with each listen. A classic, and my second favorite album of 2002.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
UK - UK
In the last 10 years, I’ve probably played this largely overlooked 1979 progressive rock album more than any other vinyl that I own. I’m not sure why.
Kansas – Leftoverture
This 1976 album reminds me of high school keggers where $1 bought a bottomless cup of warm beer and the privilege of standing around a burning tire for warmth. The best cut on this album can be heard on KSLX at least three times a day.
If anybody is actually reading this, please send an e-mail using the link at the top of the page. Enough drivel for today.
